Steve Smith.>> Steve Smith made his name in the ’80s playing with arena rockers Journey. Since then, he has focused on jazz and is considered one of the most technically proficient drummers around. He’ll lead his group, Vital Information, at Blues Alley tonight for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Pianist Amy K. Bormet‘s inaugural Washington Women in Jazz Festival concludes tonight at Twins Jazz. The featured artists for the 8 p.m. show are saxophonist Sarah Hughes and vocalist Christie Dashiell. $12 advance / $15 door.
>> Tonight, UDC’s Jazz Forum hosts a discussion about the 25th anniversary of the Jazz Issue Forum and Concert at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference. The roundtable will also cover the impact of H. Con. Resolution 57, which designated jazz “as a rare and valuable national American treasure.” 7 p.m. at UDC’s Recital Hall (Bldg. 46-West).
>> April is Jazz Appreciation Month, and for this year’s celebration, the Smithsonian will focus on the contribution of women to America’s music. Visit the Smithsonian’s JAM website for events and festivities.
>> Pianist Lisa Hilton is a fixture of the West Coast jazz scene and is currently touring in support of her latest release, Underground. She will make a stop at Twins Jazz on Thursday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $12.
>> Multi-percussionist Chuck Redd is one of the area’s finest players and educators, and has long been a familiar face in local clubs. He’ll be at Blues Alley on Thursday, celebrating the release of his latest album, The Common Thread. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> The Birchmere hosts The Jazz Crusaders, an ensemble that specializes in a hybrid soul-jazz sound, on Friday. 7:30 p.m. $65. The Birchmere also welcomes smooth jazz superstars, Fourplay, on Sunday. The 7:30 p.m. set is sold out, so check Craigslist if you’re interested in going.
>> The Jolley Brothers, fresh of their month as Artists-in-Residence at Strathmore, will pay tribute to their late father on Friday at Jazz Night in Southwest. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> NEA Jazz Master harmonica player Toots Thielmans is still going strong at nearly 90 years of age. He’ll perform a sold out 7:30 p.m. show on Friday at the Kennedy Center with his longtime collaborator, pianist Kenny Werner.
>> We interviewed saxophonist Paul Carr to preview this year’s Mid-Atlantic Jazz Festival. After a very successful event, he’ll return to his performance schedule with Friday and Saturday sets at Twins Jazz. 9 and 11 p.m. sets. $15 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Bohemian Caverns will host local regular Thad Wilson on Friday and Saturday for 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. sets. $15. Saturday will also mark the return of a weekly late night jam session at the caves. The Jolley Brothers, The Young Lions, and Will Rast‘s trio will rotate through the midnight jams.
>> Gene Bertoncini is considered a master on both acoustic and electric guitar. Catch the respected musician on Saturday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets at Blues Alley. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Chaise Lounge specializes in a highly stylized form of jazz that was popular in the early ’60s, especially on college campuses. The band will perfom at IOTA on Sunday. 7:30 p.m. $15. DCist will have a preview of the show later this week.
>> Drummer and bandleader Sherri Maricle‘s DIVA Jazz Orchestra broke ground in the early ’80s as an all-female big band. Operating at a consistently high level ever since, the group will bring its swing to Blues Alley on Sunday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $25 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Vocalist Yaala Ballin will pay tribute to the great Billie Holiday on Sunday at Twins Jazz. 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Strathmore continues its daytime jazz lecture series on Monday with When Jazz Came to Symphony Hall. Educator Aniko Debreceny discusses American popular music composers who wrote in the classical medium, but with a jazz flavor. 11 a.m. $15.
>> Blue Monday Blues hosts a band under the direction of pianist Vince Evans. 6 to 9 p.m. $5.
>> It’s no secret that we at DCist are fans of the excellent Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra. This Monday, they’ll feature to guest soloists from Israel. Saxophonist Eyal Vilner and vocalist Yaala Ballin. 8 p.m. $7.
>> Any local jazz fan who has not seen Howard University’s vocal jazz ensemble, Afro Blue, is missing out on a real treat. The group will play 8 and 10 p.m. sets with the HU jazz ensemble on Monday at Blues Alley. $18 + $12.50 minimum/surcharge.
>> Saxophonist Brad Linde is presenting an intriguing series of performances every Tuesday in April at Twins Jazz. Dubbed Dialogues and Duets, each show will feature Linde and two guest musicians. Two sets of duos will explore standards, originals and free improvisation. At the end of every set, the three players will come together for a trio performance. Tuesday’s gig will showcase pianist Harry Appleman and trombonist Greg Boyer. $10 + $10 food/drink minimum.
>> Antone “Chooky” Caldwell has played bass for the likes of Mariah Carey, Macy Gray and The Pussycat Dolls. When not touring or producing with platinum-selling artists, he leads his own smooth jazz group. The band will be at Blues Alley on Tuesday for 8 and 10 p.m. sets. $20 +$12.50 minimum/surcharge.
